Combination trunk



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1.

J. J. HOLM.

COMBINATION TRUNK, BOOKGASE, AND WRITING DESK. N0. 529,793. Patented Nov. 27, 1894.

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yJ. J. HoLM. ACOMBINATION TRUNK, B'OOKGASE, AND WRITING DESK.

NO. 529,793. Patented Nov. 27, 1894.

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JOHN JAMES HOLM OF MADISON, WISCONSIN.

COMBINATION TRUNK, BOOKCASE, AND WRITING-DESK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 529,793, dated November 27, 1894.

v Application filed January 31,1894. Serial No. 498,649. (No muriel.) l

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, JOHN JAMES HOLM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Madison, in the county of Dane and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Oombination Trunk, Bookcase, and Writing-Desk, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention has for its object to produce a conveniently arranged combined trunk, book-case, and writing desk for use by travelers, and is designed to embody durability and portability as a trunk, and convenience and accessibility as a writing-desk and bookcase, and withal to form a convenient piece of furniture for an apartment.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in' the following description, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:-Figure`1 is a perspective view of my invention,-the same being shown folded as a trunk and designed to be transported or packed. Fig. 2 is a similar view, the same being shown as a combined book-case and writing-desk. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a similar view of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the upper portion of the book-case, and the locking cleat for the crown-piece. e l

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In the practice of' my invention I employ two rectangular sections, which I will designate as the loweror base section 1 and the upper folding section 2the one being a counterpart of the other and of a corresponding.

size. These sections 1 are hinged together at 3 by durable hinges and are adapted to fold the one upon the other. The exteriors of both sect-ions are covered by a suitable durable cover similar to ordinary trunks, and are provided with the usual guard slats and castings for strengthening and preventing breakage of the same during the handling it ordinarily receives. The two sections are furthermore provided with suchaccessories as proper locks, clasps, and straps for still further aiding in the securingv of the trunk and preventing unauthorized persons from gaining access thereto. With regard to such fastenings and trimmings, however, I do not that they form a stable or steady support for the book-case when the device is set up as such'and overlap the upper front portion of the trunk when the book-case is folded. Both the upper and lower sections may be divided interiorly in any desired manner, that is, provided with Various compartments, drawers, te., but in the present instance I have illus` trated one lconvenient means, of division which I will proceed to describe.

The lower or base section I subdivide by a transverse or horizont-al partition 7, whichV forms upper and lower compartments, the upper compartment being redivided by a horizontal shelf 8. The lower compartment formed by the partition 7 contains a chest of drawers 9 and a closet covered by a swinging door 10, thel said door and drawers being provided with suitable locks.

Ihingeat 11 to the front edge of the upper wall of the lower' section a swinging'or drop desk-leaf '12, the same having upon its lower side at its opposite edgesdepending cleats 13 against which brackets 14 may swing to support the desk in suitable position for writing. The brackets 14 are swiveled in position by vertical pintles and may be swung inward into the compartment formed by the partition 7 when it is desired to lower the leaf 12. The brackets a're set some distance from the side wall of the lower section so as to combine with the latter to produce an intermediate opening when the brackets are folded to receive the cleats 13. The under side of the desk-leaf is provided with mortises 16, and dowel-pins 17 are 1ocated upon the upper sides of the brackets and engage in said mortises, whereby when the brackets are swung out theleaf issecured IOO in position for use. When notv in use the in such position. The upper section 2 is provided with upper and lower shelves 18 and 19, the former preferably being adjustable and provided upon its under side with reciprocating bolts 2O which may engage with any pair of a series of openings 21 with which the inner surface of the side wall of the section 2 is provided. The rear edge of the shelf 1S may be removably seated in any one of a series of notches 22 arranged in vertical cleats 24: located in the back corners of the upper compartment of the section 2. Below the shelf 19 various pi geen-holes 23 may be formed for the reception of stationery, &G.

It will be understood that the various drawers and compartments formed by the shelves, dac., are intended to receive books, stationery, apparel, and any other articles that a traveler may require.

I may secure to the upper edge of the upper section a textile curtain 24', the same being swung to a vertical position to cover the contents of the. pigeon-holes, and when the parts are folded the curtain will serve as a packing to prevent access of dust between the sections. 'Vhen the curtain is not in use, and the parts are arranged to form a book case, it is swung back on the rear face of the book case, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

I-Iinged to the front edge of the upper compartment so as to fold within the same is an ornamental crown-piece 25, and hinged as at 26, to the ends of this crown-piece are wings 27, which may be swung outward from a folding position against the crown-piece to the outer sides of the upper section or may be swung inward against the crown-piece and with the latter folded compactly into the upper section. Notches 28 are produced in the upper edges of the wings, and locking-bars 29 employed to engage the wings andlock the crownpiece in a vertical position as well as ornament the sides of the book-case. These locking-bars 29 have dowel-pins 30 in their under sides which engage with sockets 31 formed in the upper sides of the case and at their front ends are provided with headed studs 32 which engage the notches 28 in the wings and thus lock the crown-piece in position in the manner obvious. Vhen these locking cleats 29 are not employed they are removed froni their positions and conveniently supported in the upper compartment of the lower sections, or any other point desired.

From the foregoing description in connection with the accompanying drawings it will be seen that I have provided a very simple construction of folding book-case, desk and trunk combined, the same having all the durable qualities of an ordinary trunk as well as the conveniences and attractiveness of a book-case and desk; that the same is adapted for carrying clothing, stationery, and books, all of which are supported in an accessible,

convenient, and safe manner for transportation or use.

I do not limit my invention to the precise details of construction herein shown and described, but hold that I may vary the same to any degree and extent within the knowledge of the skilled mechanic.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a device of the class described, the combination with the upper and lower hinged sections, the latter having upon its upper side dowel-openings, of a transversely disposed crown piece hinged to the upper wall of the upper section and adapted to fold within the latter, wings hinged to the ends of said crownpiece and adapted to fold over the edges of said section, notches formed in the upper edges of the wings, and locking-cleats having heads at their front ends for engaging the notches1 and dowel-pins in their under sides for engaging the dowel-openings in the sections, substantially as specified.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with the upper and lower rectangular sections, hinged together at the upper front edge of the lower section the latter being subdivided forming an upper compartment, of a desk top hinged to the upper edge of said section, adapted to fold within the compartment, and having opposite cleats at its edges upon its under side, the vertically disposed swiveled brackets arranged within the compartments and set so me distance from the side-walls thereof so as to combine to form spaces for the cleats, said brackets being adapted to fold inward into the compartments or outward against the cleats under the desktop, substantially as specilied.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with the upper and lower hingedsections, of the rigid transverse cleats tarranged on the under side of the bottom section and extending forward from the rear edge and projecting beyond the front edge so as to embrace or overlap the lower sections when the two sections are folded, and to provide a broad base when the sections are extended to form a book case and the casters arrangedin` the under sides of the cleats 4:, at the ends thereof substantially as specified.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination with the folding sections, of the textile curtain connected to the upper edge of the upper section and adapted to fold over the same and form a tight joint between said sections when they are folded, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN JAMES I'IOLM. y

Vitnesses:

A. E. PETTENGILL, O. S. NoRsMoN. 

